Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourns the loss of veteran Tamil actor 'Delhi' Ganesh: 'He will be fondly remembered for his contributions' | Tamil Movie News – Times of India

Veteran actor ‘Delhi’ Ganesh, celebrated for his versatile performances in Tamil cinema, passed away late Saturday night at his residence in Ramapuram, following a brief illness. He was 80 years old. Survived by his wife and three children, including a son and two daughters, the acclaimed actor leaves a lasting impact on Indian cinema through his remarkable contribution to over 400 films.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, honoring Ganesh’s extraordinary acting prowess. In his tweet, the Prime Minister wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing of the illustrious film personality, Thiru Delhi Ganesh Ji. He was blessed with impeccable acting skills. He will be fondly remembered for the depth he brought to each role and for his ability to connect with viewers across generations. He was also passionate about theatre. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Members of the film fraternity mourned his passing, with actors, directors, and fans gathering at Ganesh’s residence to pay their respects. Health Minister Ma Subramanian laid a wreath on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, while Chief Minister M K Stalin called Ganesh’s demise a profound loss for the Tamil film industry, highlighting the depth and diversity of his roles across films and television.
Delhi Ganesh, known for his impressive range, portrayed diverse characters spanning compassionate fathers, caring brothers, and notorious villains. He was equally celebrated for his comic timing and menacing portrayals, which left an indelible mark on audiences. Among those who offered tributes were iconic actor Rajinikanth and actor-politician Vijay, who shared their condolences on social media.

The recipient of the prestigious Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani award, Ganesh’s stage name ‘Delhi’ was an homage to his time spent in the national capital before he ventured into acting. Renowned filmmaker K. Balachander, who guided Ganesh early in his career, encouraged him to adopt the prefix to distinguish his identity in cinema.
Most recently, Ganesh received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nadigar Sangam, the South Indian Artistes Association, recognizing his invaluable contributions to the film industry.

Reflecting on his father’s legacy, his son Maha Delhi Ganesh shared that the actor had been dealing with age-related health concerns. “Last night, when we tried to give him a tablet, he did not respond. A doctor confirmed that he was dead,” he said. The family confirmed that Delhi Ganesh passed away peacefully in his sleep at 11 p.m. on November 9.